Atlanta Braves sign Julio Teheran

The Atlanta Braves and starting pitcher Julio Teheran agreed to a six-year contract on Friday. The deal is worth $32.4 million.
Teheran’s contract goes through the 2019 season. There is an option for the 2020 season. In the last two weeks the Braves have signed first baseman Freddie Freeman to an eight-year, $135 million contract and bought out the two arbitration years of outfielder Jason Heyward. Teheran’s deal buys out the rest of his arbitration and one year of free agency, according to Fox Sports. There is a second free agency option for 2020 also.
“We are excited to sign Julio to a long-term contract,” Frank Wren, the Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager said in a statement. “He is one of the best young pitchers in the National League and one of our core of players we expect to be together for a number of years.”
Last year was the first year in the majors for Teheran. In his rookie season he went 14-8 with a 3.20 ERA, 170 strikeouts and 45 walks, according to Sports Illustrated. He led MLB rookies in walks per nine innings, was second in wins and strikeouts, third in opponents batting average and fourth in ERA. Teheran finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Teheran is only 22 years old, and he entered the Braves organization in 2007 as an amateur free agent.The Brave have a young pitching staff. Mike Minor, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, and Alex Wood are the Braves other young pitchers. They are still in arbritration. It will be interesting to see how Teheran does in his second season and with a young pitching staff.